ISLAMABAD A Two-day Study Visit Workshop for Tajikistan under the European Union’s (EU) Partner-to-Partner (P2P) Export Control Program for Dual-Use Goods was held in Islamabad from September 15 to 16, bringing together senior officials and experts from Pakistan, Tajikistan and Germany to promote cooperation on strategic trade controls. The workshop was jointly organized by the Strategic Export Control Division (SECDIV) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and the German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). It featured five substantive sessions focused on national strategic trade control frameworks, export licensing and enforcement mechanisms, and international best practices governing the trade and transfer of dual-use goods and technologies. The workshop was inaugurated by Additional Secretary (Europe), Ambassador Ayesha Ali, who underscored the right of developing countries to access dual-use goods and technologies for peaceful purposes and socio-economic development. She stressed the importance of maintaining an appropriate balance between national security considerations and the facilitation of legitimate international trade. Ambassador Ayesha Ali also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to its international obligations concerning non-proliferation and disarmament, highlighting the country’s responsible approach to the governance and transfer of sensitive technologies. In his welcome remarks, Director General SECDIV Haroon Rashid highlighted the growing importance of effective controls over the transfer of strategic and dual-use goods and technologies. He briefed participants on Pakistan’s comprehensive legislative, regulatory and administrative export control framework, which is designed to prevent the diversion of sensitive goods and technologies towards non-peaceful purposes. Haroon Rashid also highlighted Pakistan’s voluntary adherence to relevant guidelines and control lists of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and Australia Group (AG), describing it as part of Pakistan’s efforts to maintain export control standards consistent with international best practices. The workshop provided participants with an overview of Pakistan’s national export control architecture, including its licensing and enforcement mechanisms, while facilitating the exchange of experiences and best practices among the participating countries. The initiative also sought to strengthen cross-border cooperation on strategic trade controls and facilitate secure and legitimate trade through efficient, transparent and internationally aligned procedures, consistent with relevant international obligations, including UN Security Council Resolution 1540.
